Sediment collecting means for washing machines and the like



July 14, 1953 T. R. SMITH SEDIMENT COLLECTING MEANS FOR WASHING MACHINES AND THE LIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 31, 1951 ww n 6 8 m 7 o w o 0 0 8 IOI M 8 4 L J m IIIIL O 5 O 4 Wu 2 I 6 F 5 m w 4 n 4 w m E m 1 6 July 14, 1953 1'. R. SMITH SEDIMENT COLLECTING MEANS FOR WASHING MACHINES AND THE LIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 31 1951 July 14, 1953 1'. R. SMITH SEDIMENT COLLECTING MEANS FOR WASHING MACHINES AND THE LIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 31, 1951 3 6 9 fi 2 2 2 \E.iiiinnutiiniuui lil Patented July 14, 1953 SEDIMENT COLLEGTING'MEAN S FOR WASH- IN G- MAGHINES AND THE LIKE Thomas R. Smith, Newton, Iowa, assignor to The Maytagifio'mpany, Newton, Iowa, a'corporation of Delaware ApplicationMarchSl, 1951, SerialNo. 218,629

12 Claims.

This invention relates to washing, machines for fabrics and more particularly to 'a; Washing machinehaving a tub which is rotated about-a vertical axis. 7

Among the objects of the invention is to provide-a rotatable tub'for a washingmachine with an improved sediment collecting chamber or chambers which facilitates the removal of heavy particles of foreign-matter or sedimentary material from the chambers out of contact with the fabrics being washed when the tub is rotated above a predetermined speed";

This invention is prim'arily directed-to washing machines embodying a rotatablc doubletub construct-ion; the inner tub being perforate and spaced fromthe outer imperforate tub to provide an annular liquid*conducti'ng space thereb'etween. Sediment collecting chambers or zones in the form of enlargedpocketsare'ihcorporated in the bottomwall-of the-outerimperforate tub'adjacent its outer periphery which are-indirect communication with the annular space between the tubs: As the sedimentary material enters the annular space during the fabric washing operation the water action therein graduallyshifts the-material around in this space until it passes over oneof the chambers whereat it will have a tendency to settle. Each sediment collecting chamber has side walls converging toward its outer wall which has an opening or passage therein normally covered by a centrifugally operated valve to prevent leakage therethrough' during the washing operation and the valve is operated by centrifugal force when the tub reaches a predetermined speed to open the passage to permit the discharge of a portion of the liquid through the opening out of contact with-the fabrics being washed. When the valves openthe sedimentary material collected in the chamber is discharged therefrom by centrifugal force; the rapidflow ofliquid entering the space and this discharge is facilitated by the particular shapeof" the side-- walls of the chamber.

Accordingly it is another object of the invention to provide awashing machine having a rotatable tubof' doubletub construction with an improved self-cleaning sediment collecting chamber or chambers whichutilizes thespace provided between the tubs f or conducting the sedimentary material toward the sediment-collecting chambers out of contact with thefabrics being washed.

It is another object oftheinvention to provide a washing machine having a rotatable tub of double wall construction with sediment collecting means located in the lower portion thereof in direct communication with the space between thedouble wall construction and through which sedimentary material is discharged out ofcontact with the fabrics being washed;

It isstill another object or t'heii-ivention to i provide awashing machinehaving a rotatable tub of double wall-construction-wither Sediment a 2 collecting chamber which is readily accessible for cleaning;

It is yet'anothe'r object of the invention to providea washing machine having a rotatable tub of the double t'ub type with an annular space therebetween which is in direct communication with sediment collecting chambers disposed remote from the fabrics being washed.

It" is still another object of the invention to provide a sediment. collecting chamber in a rotatable tub'for a washing machine which is self-- cleaning.

Other objects, features, capabiities, and advantages are comprehended by the invention, as will later appear and as are inherently possessed thereby. r

Referring to the" drawings:

Figure l is a partial vertical sectional view of a washing machine having a double tub construction with the improved sediment collecting chambers incorporated therein;

Figure 2is an enlarged partial vertical sectional view of the improved sediment collecting chamber;

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional View on a slightly reduced scale taken along the line 3--3 of Figure Z'With parts broken away for clearness;

Figure 4- is a partial vertical sectional. view of a modified form: of sediment collecting chamber;

and,

Figure 5" is a horizontal sectional view taken generally along the line 5'-5"0f' Figure 4 showing the sediment collecting chamber in top plan.

Referring now more in detail'to one form of a combined washing and centrifugal drying machine, embodying a generally cylindrical rotatable tub 27 of double Wall construction mounted for rotation about'a vertical axis and made in accor'dance'with the present invention, there is showna base structure 4. which provides a suport (not shown) for an outer, generally cylindricalj stationarytubor catch basin 6, a support forthe inn'errot'atabletub. structure 2, having a centrally located vertically mounted agitator or washing device s'disposed' therein, as well as-a supportf'or mechanism; generally referred to as Ill; for operatingthe a'gitator'and rotating the tubin the washing'cycle; as will be hereinafter more fullydes'cribed.

The'stat'ionary tub fi ha's-its upper end I2 disposed high enough so that its side wall intercepts and d'efle'cts downward anyfliquid discharged from tli'e' inner'rotatable tub 21 Also, the stationary tube-further includes a bottom wall l4 liavi'rl'g'a'drain opening I6 and a centrally disposefd enla'rged opening lflin' a crowned portion 2'3 through Whlilh' vertical coaxial shaft means extend. The shaft means is in the form of: an

inner rotatable shaft 22: and an outer rotatable tubularshaft 24, for actuating the. agitator 8 a'r'rd supporting and rotating the tub" 2*, respectively. v

The inner rotatable tub includes an outer imperforate tub or receptacle 26 and a spaced inner perforate tub or container 28. The outer tub or receptacle 23 is substantially cup-shaped in vertical cross section and has an upwardly and outwardly flaring side wall 29 terminating in an open end to define a top edge 30 above the normal liquid level A desired in the tub and over which the major portion of the liquid is discharged when the tub is rotated during the liquid extracting operation. The lower end of the side wall 29 merges by means of a relatively large end smooth radius to a generally horizontal bottom wall 3| which has its inner end rigidly secured to a flange 32 formed as part of a centrally located and raised hub portion 33. This hub portion terminates adjacent the outer periphery of the agitator 8 and the top face of the flange 32 may be provided with a groove 34 or the like for the reception of suitable sealing material 35 to prevent leakage between the bottom wall 3i and flange portion 32 when the receptacle 26 is rigidly secured to the hub by any suitable means. It can be seen that when the outer imperforate receptacle 26 is rigidly secured to the hub portion 33 a unitary imperforate structure is rovided.

Projecting through and upwardly from the hub 33 is a vertically disposed oscillatable shaft 38 splined or connected in any suitable manner to the agitator 8 for actuating or oscillating the same about its vertical axis to agitate the water and fabrics to be washed within the tub. Any suitable sealing means 40 may be utilized between the hub 33 and the shaft 38 to provide a fluid tight joint,

Means for oscillating the agitator are provided by suitable oscillatin mechanism generally indicated at 42 which, in this construction, is carried in a gear housing 44 disposed at the bottom of and bolted to the hub portion 33 to increase the mass thereof. This oscillating mechanism is preferably directly operated by the inner vertically disposed rotatable shaft 22 which has a driven pulley 46 secured thereto at its lower end, the same being continuously rotated in one direction by a motor 48, when energized, by means of a belt 50.

The gear housing 44 is further provided with a downwardly projecting hub 52 concentric with the shaft means and rigidly secured to the upper end of the outer tubular shaft 24 by means of pins 54, while the lower end of shaft means 22 and 24 are mounted in a combination radial and thrust bearing 56 adjacent the lowermost portion of the base 4. Leakage between the outer hollow shaft 24 and stationary tub 6 is prevented where the shaft means traverses the tub at the opening l8 by means of a resilient spring biased seal Or boot 53 having upper and lower sealing surfaces adapted to engage the lower portion of the hub 52 and an upstanding portion of the stationary tub about the opening 18, respectively.

Since the combined radial and thrust bearing 56 provides the sole support for the rotatable tub 2, it is free to tilt thereabout and the upper end is capable of moving laterally; therefore, means in the form of centering springs 60, preferably four, are provided to maintain the tub in a substantially vertical position during the washing operation, and although it is not absolutely necessary, it is desirable to have them act in conjunction with a suitable damper mechanism 62 to aid in stabilizing the tub when it is rotated.

The agitator 8, disposed within the rotatable tub 2, is provided with the usual'center post 64 and is formed with a flaring base or body portion 66 extending downwardly and outwardly above the hub 33 to underly the clothes, and

' has one or more blades 68 extending radially upwardly and outwardly from the upper portion of the base adapted to agitate the liquid within the tub upon oscillation of the agitator for effecting the Washing operation. Also, the outer periphery of the base 66 preferably extends close to and covers the inner end of the bottom wall 3| of the receptacle 26 to prevent fabrics from entering thereunder and engaging any other surface.

In order to rapidly rotate the tub 2 to extract the liquid therein, suitable clutch mechanism 19 carried by the damper mechanism 62 may be provided for-effecting a driving relation between the inner. shaft 22 and the outer shaft 24. Suitable means'are provided in the form of a brake mechanism 12 secured in part to the stationary tub 6 through the springs and to the outer shaft 24 for holding the, tub stationary during the washing operation, and for permitting the rotation of the tub during the spinning operation. The operation of both the brake I2 and the clutch lflis under control of an electrically operated solenoid 14 which, when deenergized, applies the brake and renders the clutch inactive and when energized releases the brake and engages the clutch to connect the inner and outer shafts 22 and 24 together todrive the same in unison. It is to be understood, however, that generally, any suitable mechanisms for operating the washing machine as-herein disclosed may be utilized.

Referring now more particularly to the details of construction of the tub assembly 2 which is rotated about. its vertical axis, there is shown the substantially imperforate outer tub or receptacle 26 which includes the generally horizontal bottom wall 3| and the upwardly and outwardly flaring cylindrical wall 29 with its top edge 30 disposed above the normal liquid level desired therein. It is to be noted that the curved lower portion of the sidewall 29 and outer portion of the bottom wall 31 provides a smooth surface in order to reduce the tendency of heavy foreign particles to cling or stick at this point.

The inner tub 28 is in the form of an openended basket or container having its cylindrical sidewall 16 and fiat bottom wall 78 provided with a multiplicity of perforations or openings 38. lfhe inner tub or container is of smaller diameter than the receptacle and is disposed in substantially parallel spaced relation with respect to the sidewall 29 and the bottom wall 3i of the iinperforate receptacle to provide a relatively narrow annular space which includes an upper liquid conducting space 82 between the sidewalls 29 and T8 and a lower radially extending annular liquid conducting space 84 between the bottom walls 31 and 18. This space permits relatively free circulation of the washing liquid therebetween during the washing operation and free flow of the washing liquid out of the receptacle over the top edge 30 upon rotation of the tub without contacting the fabrics in the container. In addition, the openings 89 in the bottom and sidewalls of the container readily permit heavy particles of dirt and other sedimentary material to fiow therethrough into the annular space and settle toward the lower space 84 during the washing operation. Therefore, in effect, this space defines a sediment collecting zone or space which functions in a man nerto be hereinafter described.

The basket or container 28,- which: may: include" a balancing ring 86 isasecuredin spaced relationr to the receptacle 26 adjacent the upper, edge. 30': to forma. unitary structure irrany suitablemam; ner, such as, for example, by. av series; of. spacers; tlliand scre-wsor bolts. ill]; The lower portion of the container. is centered and:hel.di against. radial. displacementv by. providing. a downwardly directedchannel section. 9:2:at thezinneredge of the-bot:- tom wall: 18' with an annular U-shaped: gasket 94: which inturn engages a verticalgshould'erllfi pro vided. onthe bottom. wall: 3| of the. imperfcrate receptacle 26 adjacent .the oute-r'periphery' of; the agitator. 8. The upper portion. of the ...containe r: 28 is preferably:imperforateand extendsgupwardly. and. inwardly above the normal liquid; level; to retain: the fabrics 'being-w-ashedand' it terminates to define an opening 98, whereby the operator may have access torthe interior. of;thezcontainer.

The bottom wall 3| of --the-re ceptacle;26is provided with a pair of; enlarged oppositely disposed openings; I 6.0 and a, sediment collecting reces 0 chamber. Illlis mounted; on-the exteriorv of the. receptacle adjacent the; outer. peripheral. portion and below each, opening. In this; manner. theupper open end of each. chamber isin. direct. communication with the. annular space on zone- 84 between the a container 28- and: receptacle; 2t and is directly below the perforate-bottom wall "tor. the container. Each. chamber IOI is provided; with an outer-wall I02,-,a pair of. side Walls; I04 which. converge toward the outer wall I02, an inner wall. I66, of any. contour, a relatively. flat bottom wall. I II) andgan upper outwardly-extenm. ing peripheral flange" H2 extending. around the upper open end. of; the chamber IDI- which isv adapted to besecured to: the; exterionof; the bottom wall of the receptacle in any suitable manner. Due to the. fact that: thesechambers are rel.- atively deep in proportionto. the depth of: the. annular space. 8.4;they provide spaces wherein: the liquid is relatively quietbecause the turbulent action of the agitator 8-wil1 have very. little-or only aminor effect upon the liquid in.thesechamtbers during the washing operation. The outer wall IE2 is providedwith-a normally: sea-led outlet opening or passage II 41 disposed in the lower portion thereof and referring to Figure 3 it can be seen that, in top plan; the sidewalls: IDA-10f. the chamber'taper or converge toward-the-opem ing I Win the outer wall I02, this being forapurpose to be hereinafter described.

In order to prevent the washing liquid from flowing out of the openings II 4 during the washing operation, a: centrifugally operated valve H6 is positioned at each opening outwardly. thereof to'close or sealthe same during allenormal wash-- ing operating conditionsi This valve generally comprises a resilient spherical-shaped plug-I:Izl: having areduced neck'orshank portion Ilitwhich. is adapted to enter and behelclin arsteppedre cess I291. providediin aweighted body member I22 that is adapted'to rotate aboutan upper: horizon.- tally mounted pivot pin I24=. This-pivot pin. is securedin a bracket lzficwhichin turniswelded or secured to the outer-portionof the-outer wall"; I 92 of:- thesediment: collecting; chamber III I.

Means for biasing thevalve: H6. to..its; closed position, to prevent leakage under normal.washing operating. conditions, includes'a secondhorizontal pivot pin I28; which isdisposedioutwardly' from the valve pivot pin- I24 andadaptedito, hold.- the lower end of an upstandingrbjar or, -r od I30..- whose upperend fits loosely withinana penina inan: upwardly and outwardly extendin arms.

, their seated position.

portion I32 formed aspart: of the bracket I26;

A compression spring I34 is positioned about the rod I30; which reactsbetween the. outwardly pro-- jecting arm I32 and the valve body member I22 to force the resilient plug III into its closed or passage sealing position.

that when the tub is stationary the closing force exerted by the. spring I34- is at its maximum and.

that when the tub is rotated and centrifugal force overcomes the compression of the spring, the pivot pin for the bar I30 moves upwardly and inwardly with respect to the pivot pin I24. Therefore, the component of the spring closing force hasa tendency, to either decrease or remain substantially constant rather than increase and the valve will therefore have a. tendency to stay in'its open position with a minimum of interference. A chamw fered abutment I36 projecting upwardly from the pivot pin. I24 is adapted to engage a portionof the bracket to limit the opening movement of the valve body member I22.

From the foregoing it can be seen that when the tub 2 is stationary during the washing opera.- tion, the liquid and the fabrics within theperiorated container 28 are agitated rather violently by the vanes 68 on the agitator 8 and due to this action a portion of the liquid is caused to continually circulate through the openings 80 in the container into and out of the annular spaces 82 and 84 provided between the container and the receptacle 26. In so doing a relatively large pro-- portion of the heavyparticles of foreign matter and other sedimentary material Willtend to pass. through the openings into the annular space, and.

since the openings 80 break up the violent water action in this space the sedimentary material will settle toward the bottom of the tub in a relatively quiet manner. After dropping or settling to within the confines of the space 84, the slight horizontal oscillating movement of the liquid within the lower space or zone tends to move or shift the sedimentary material therein in a horizontal plane until it passes over one of the sediment collecting chambers IilI. As thisrelatively heavy sedimentary material passes over oneof the collecting chambers it quite naturall settles therein and since the liquid capacity is relatively large and quiet it will remain there. Although all of the sedimentary material entering the annular sediment collecting space 84 may-not be moved into the sediment collecting chambers IBI during the washing operation, it will eventually be Worked into these chambers upon subsequent washing or rinsing operations and be discharged from the chambers through one of the openings II l.

After the washing operation the tub is rotated to centrifugally extract the liquid therefrom. As the tub is accelerated the washing liquid tends to move outwardly by centrifugal-action and a major portion of the same will be discharged through the openings Bil into the annular-space 82 and upwardly through this space out of contact with the fabrics and over the top edge 30 of the outer imperforate receptacle. Upon attaining a. predetermined speed, centrifugal force acting on the weighted valve body members. I22 against the compression of the springs I34 holding the valves closed causes the valves II-Ii to move away from When this occurs the;

valves open rather rapidly and permit a relatively large volume of. l-iquid;.dependent upon? the speed of-rotation and'itheysizegofthe. Outlet opening I i4;;to -iiow throughlthe chambersJllzL, This? With a valve ofv this type pivoted in the manner shown, it can be seenrelatively rapid flow of liquid through the chambers quite naturally picks up or entrains the heavy sedimentary material collected therein and since centrifugal force is also acting on this sedimentary material, the liquid and sedimentary materials are discharged through the openings I I4 into the stationary tub 8 for eventual discharge through the drain opening I6. Due to the high velocity of the liquid and the tapering or converging side walls I64 toward the outer walls I02 of the chambers IOI, it will be evident that the chambers are self-cleaning whenever the tub is rotated above a predetermined speed.

At the end of the rotating or spinning operation the solenoid I4 is deenergized, and in so doing applies the brake "I2 and releases the clutch I to stop and hold the tub 2 stationary. It should be mentioned that the operation of the washing machine during the rinse period is identical to the operation thereof during the washing period, except it is of shorter duration, after which the tub is again rotated and the centrifugally operated valves IIS are opened to expel a portion of the liquid therethrough along with any additional sedimentary material which has collected in the chambers IIII.

Referring now to the modification disclosed in Figures 4 and 5, there is shown a double tub construction I38 which is similar to the construction shown in Figures 1 to 3, with the exceptions that the outer tub I40 is formed integral with the hub portion M2 and a single enlarged sediment collecting chamber or zone I44 is provided instead of two oppositely disposed ones. Since all other elements are similar, the reference characters on like parts remain the same.

In this particular instance, the outer wall I48 of the imperforate outer tub extends downwardly and then inwardly to form a shoulder I46 adjacent the outer periphery of the agitator 6 and then extends inwardly to form the hub portion I42 which houses the oscillatable shaft 38 for oscillating the agitator 8. The gear housing 44 is secured to this hub portion and the outer tubular shaft 24, as shown in Figure l, to form a unitary structure and to provide a direct drive for rotating the tub 2 about its vertical axis.

The inner tub or container 28 is positioned or centered by means of the shoulders I46 adjacent the periphery of the agitator B through the medium of the flange 92 and gasket 94, as in the embodiment shown in figures 1-3, and is rigidly secured in spaced relation to the outer tub or receptacle 26 adjacent its upper edge by means of the usual spacers and screws to form a unitary structure with an annular liquid-conducting space therebetween.

A portion of the bottom wall I48 of the receptacle is recessed to provide the sediment collecting chamber I44 and it has an opening or passage I50 therethrough in its outermost wall portion I52 adjacent the bottom wall I 39. This opening is normally closed or sealed by a centrifugally operated valve I54 identical in construction and operation as the valve II6 previously described.

The opposite side walls I56 of the chamber I44 are tapered or converge toward the outlet opening I58 in the outer wall I52 to direct the liquid and sedimentary material toward the same when the tub is rotated at relatively high speed in the usual manner.

Like in the previous modification, the sediment collecting chamber I44 is in direct communication with the annular spaces or Zones 82 8 and 84 between the container and receptacle and as the sedimentary material shifts horizontally in the annular space 84 and passes over the chamber I44, it drops therein and remains until the tub is rotated above a predetermined speed at the end of the washing or agitate rinse operations. In this instance, the chamber I44 extends from adjacent the outer periphery of the receptacle and beneath the bottom wall I8 toward the agitator shaft and terminates well under the downwardly flaring rim 66 on the agitator 8. In this manner not only the heavy particles passing through the openings in the container 28 but also the heavy particles entering under the agitator 8 during the washing operation are directed toward or into the sediment collecting chamber.

In order to provide means for cleaning this chamber from time to time, if necessary, and to prevent smaller pieces of fabrics, such as socks and the like, from passing under the agitator and into the chamber I44 with the possibility of clogging the opening I50, the inner portion of the sediment collecting chamber under the agitator is covered with a removable screen I58. This screen may be secured in position in any suitable manner, such as, for example, by having backwardly and downwardly extending leg portions I60 which interlock with the curved rear portion of the side walls I58 and the rear wall I62 of the recess, and a forwardly located bent leaf spring I64 which engages the container under the inner downturned edge 92 on the bottom wall I8 to hold the forward end of the screen in position. A knob I68 is provided to aid in the removal of the screen after the agitator 8 has been removed from the spline connection on the agitator shaft 38.

This sediment collecting chamber operates in a manner identical to the previously mentioned modification in that the heavy foreign particles and other sedimentary material entering the annular space 84 gradually shifts horizontally and tends to collect in the chamber I44 during the washing operation. During the liquid extraction operation the centrifugally operated valve I54 opens and the sedimentary material in the chamber along with a portion of the liquid in the tub Will be discharged through the outlet opening. The location of the recess and the direction of flow of the liquid is such as to retard or prevent the sedimentary material from re-entering the container 28 to soil the fabrics being washed.

since the annular spaces 82 and 84 between the inner and outer walls of the container and receptacle are relatively narrow, the possibility of having relatively long objects, such as, for example, bobby pins or the like, entering these spaces through the openings 80 and working into the sediment collecting chambers, which may cause malfunction of the valves is reduced considerably. The exception to this would be the openings 80 in the bottom wall I8 over the chainbers IIII and I44; therefore, it may be desirable to eliminate the perforations or openings 80 in the bottom wall I8 which lie directly above and about the chambers IIII and I44 in both modifications to provide a baflle section I68 to thereby reduce to a minimum the possibility of having items of this nature enter the sediment collecting chambers.

From the foregoing it can be seen that a washing machine having a rotatable tub of double wall construction has been provided which has an annular liquid-conducting space between the walls and that sediment collecting chambers have been provided in the bottom wall of the outer tub adjacent its outer periphery in direct communispeed the sedimentary material is discharged 1 therefrom through outlet openings provided in the outer wall of the chambers withoutcontacting the fabrics beingwashed and-that the chamber or chambers are self-cleaning;

While I have herein describedand upon drawings shown illustrativeembodiments of the invention, it 'isto be understood that theinvention is not limited thereto, but may comprehend other constructions;arrangements of parts, details, and features without departing from the spirit thereof. 7 r

I claim: 1

1. A tub for a washing machine adapted to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed and to be rotated about a vertical axis to-extract the liquid therefrom, comprising an imperforate receptacle having side and bottom walls, an open-ended perforate container having side and bottom walls disposed within said receptacle, the sideand bottom walls'of said container and receptacle being spaced apart to define an annular liquid conducting space therebetween, a pair'of chambers each having an outlet therein disposed beneath said outer tub and indirect communication with said space, and means for controlling the flow of liquid out of said outlet when the rotation of said tub is below apredetermined speed.

2. A tub for a washing machine adapted to receive liquid and-fabrics to be Washedand to be rotated about a vertical axis to extract the liquid therefrom, comprising an imperforate receptacle having side and bottom walls, a perforateopenended container having side and bottom Walls disposed within said receptacle and in spaced relation thereto to define an annular liquid conducting space therebetween, a sediment collecting recess disposed in the bottom wall of said receptacle in direct communication with said'space, said recess being defined in part by an outer peripheral wall having a discharge passage therein, and valve means normally closing said discharge passage when said tub is rotated belowap'redetermined speed, but operable under centrifugal force when said tube is rotated above said speed to open said discharge passages.

3. In a washing machine havinga tub adapted to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed and to be rotated to centrifugally extract the liquid from the fabrics, said tub comprising an imperforate receptacle having a bottom wall and an upwardly flaring side wall with an upper open end extending above the normal liquid level therein, and an open-ended perforate inner container disposed within said outer tub to-provide an annular space therebetween along the side and bottom walls of said receptacle, a chamber formed in the bottom wall of said receptacle having an outer peripheral wall and being in direct communication with said annular space for collecting sedimentary material entering the same, an outlet passage-for, said chamber formed in said wall, and speed responsivemeans for sealing said passage against discharge of liquid and sedimentary material, said speed responsive means being movable under centrifugal force to open said passage when said tub'is rotated above a predetermined speed. I

4. In a washing machine having'a tub adapted to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed and to be rotated to centrifugally extract the liquid the -irre the febnegseiutubs-comprising an imperfforate receptacle having a bottom wall-'and' an upwardly fiaring sidewallwith an upper open "ehdextending above the normal liquid level therein; a perforate I openeended container havg afsi'c le and-bottom wall, meansfor securing "spaceis-directed toward 'said chamber by liquid motion and--'said-'chamber having a liquid outlet opening in-lt's outer wall, and speed responsive meansffor sealing saidcutletsaid speed respon- "sive means being operable above a predeter- "mi'ned speed to o en said outlet to permit the flow of liquid from said space through said cliamberfito flush "the sedimentary material "therefrom; r

-5; a Wasliingmachine having a tub adapted to receive'liqu'id and fabrics to be washed and to be rotated to centrifugally extract the liquid from the fabricsysaid tub comprising an imperforate outer receptacle having a bottom wall and an upwardly flaring side wall with an upper open end extending above the normal liquid level therein, an open-ended perforate inner container rigidly secured within said receptacle to provide an annular liquid circulating space between the side and bottom walls thereof and the side and bottom walls of said outer tub, a sediinent collecting chamber carried in the bottom wall of said receptacle, said chamber being provided with outwardly directed and inwardly converging side walls and an outer end wall and having at least a part thereof in direct communication with said annular space between said container and said receptacle to thereby collect the sedimentary material entering said space from the interior of said container during the washing operation, and a centrifugally operated valve for sealing said outlet during the washing operation, said valve being moved under centrifugal force for opening said outlet above a predetermined speed to permit a portion of the liquid and sedimentary material to flow therethrough.

, 6. In a washing machine having a tub adapted toreceive liquid and fabrics to bewashed and to be rotated to centrifugally extract the liquid from the fabrics, said tubcomprising an imperforate receptacle having a bottom wall and an upwardly flaring side wall with an upper open end extending above the normal liquid level therein, an open-ended perforate container disposed within said receptacle to provide an annular space between the side and bottom walls thereof and the side and bottom walls of said rea ceptacle, a "sediment collecting chamber includingan outer wall carried by the bottom wall of said receptacledirectly beneath said perforate container and indirect communication with the annular-space between said walls to collect sedimentary material entering said space during the washing operation, said chamber having an outlet passage in its outer wall for discharging the sedimentary material therethrough, and valve means'normally-closing said opening during the washing operation but movable under centrifugal force {during the extracting operation'to permit fiow' of liquidthroughsaid opening.

7. In a washing machine having a tub adapted to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed and to be rotated to centrifugally extract the liquid from the fabrics, said tub comprising an imperforate receptacle having a bottom wall and an upwardly flaring side wall with an upper open end extending the normal liquid level therein, and an open-ended perforate container secured within said receptacle to provide an annular space between the side and bottom walls of said receptacle and said container, a plurality of recesses forming part of the bottom wall of said receptacle disposed beneath the bottom wall of said container and in direct communication with the annular space between said walls for collecting the sedimentary material entering said space during the washing operation, said recesses each having an outer wall and side Walls with said side wall sloping toward said outer wall, an outlet passage disposed in the lower portion of each of said outer walls, and centrifugally operated valves for sealing said passages during the washing operation andfor opening said passages when said tub is rotated above a predetermined speed to permit centrifugal discharge of washing liquid and the sedimentary material collected in said recesses.

8. In a Washing machine having a tub adapted to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed and to be rotated to centrifugally extract the liquid from the fabrics, said tub comprising an imperforate receptacle having a bottom wall and an upwardly flaring side wal1 with an upper open end extending above the normal liquid level therein, and an open-ended perforate container secured within said receptacle to provide an annular space between the side and bottom walls of saidreceptable and said container, a pair of oppositely disposed recesses forming part of the bottom wall of said receptacle disposed beneath the bottom wall of said container and in direct communication with the annular space between said walls for collecting the sedimentary material entering said space during the washing operation, said recesses each having an outer wall and side walls with said side walls sloping toward said outer wall, an outlet passage mounted in the lower portion of each of said outer walls, centrifugally operated valves for sealing said passages during the washing operation and for opening said passages when said tub is rotated above a predetermined speed to permit centrifugal discharge of washing liquid and the sedimentary material collected in said recesses, and baiiie means directly above said recesses for preventing direct communication with the interior of said container.

9. A tub for a washing machine adapted to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed and to be rotated about a vertical axis to extract the liquid therefrom, comprising a container having a side wall and a perforated bottom wall for receiving the fabrics to be Washed, an annular sediment collecting space beneath said bottom wall adjacent its outer periphery and in direct communication with the container through said perforated bottom wall, a sediment collecting chamber disposed below and in direct communication with said annular space, and having an outlet opening therein, and valve means normally closing said outlet opening but operable under centrifugal force during the extracting operation to permit discharge of liquid and sedimentary material therethrough.

10. A tub for a washing machine adapted to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed and to be rotated about a vertical axis to extract the liquid therefrom, comprising a container for receiving the liquid and fabrics to be washed and having a bottom wall with perforations therein, a relatively narrow annular sediment collecting space beneath said bottom wall in direct communication with the interior of said container through said perforations, at least one sediment collecting chamber carried below and in direct communication with said annular space and having a lower outlet opening therein, valve means for closing said outlet opening preventing the flow of liquid and sedimentary material therethrough duringthe washing operation but operable under centrifugal force during the extraction operation to permit flow of liquid and sedimentary material therethrough, and bafile means for said bottom wall disposed directly above said chamber.

11. A tub for a washing machine adapted to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed and to be rotated about a vertical axis to extract the liquid therefrom, comprising a container for receiving the liquid and fabrics to be washed and having a bottom wall with perforations therein, a relatively narrow annular sediment collecting space beneath said bottom wall in direct communication with the interior of said container through said perforations, at least one sediment collecting chamber carried below and in direct communication with said annular space and having a lower outlet opening therein, valve means for closing said outlet opening preventing the flow of liquid and sedimentary material therethrough during the washing operation but operable under centrifugal force during the extraction operation to permit flow of liquid and sedimentary material therethrough, and bafile means for said bottom wall directly above said chamber provided by an inperforate portion of the bottom wall of said container.

12. A tub for a washing machine including agitatingmeans adapted to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed and to be rotated about a vertical axis to extract the liquid therefrom, comprising an imperforate receptacle having a bottom wall and an upwardly flaring side wall with an upper open end extending above the normal liquid level therein, and an open-ended perforate container having side and bottom walls secured within said receptacle to provide an annular space between the side and bottom walls thereof and the side and bottom walls of said receptacle, a sediment collecting chamber formed as a part of the bottom wall of said receptacle with a portion disposed beneath the bottom wall of said container and another portion below said agitating means and having an outlet opening therein, said chamber being in direct communication with said annular space and the lower portion of said agitating means, means for preventing the flow of liquid out of said outlet opening during the washing operation, and a removable screen disposed over said chamber beneath said agitator.

THOMAS R. SMITH.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,106,986 Pearce Feb. 1, 1938 2,314,155 McCleary Mar. 16, 1943 2,339,345 McCleary Jan. 18, 1944 2,378,392 Candor June 19, 1945 2,442,397 Candor' June 1, 1948 2,470,140 Castner May 17, 1949 

